Business Tutorial

Find Industry Information

Financial ratios and related measures reveal a company's solvency, efficiency, and profitability. Some assignments will require you to compare financial data of a company against its entire industry You can search for industry data by browsing industries from an index or database, entering the name of the industry, or entering SIC or NAICS codes.

SIC and NAICS codes stand for Standard Industrial Classification and North American Industrial Classification System, respectively. These codes identify the industries in which the companies compete. Both codes are used in current industry reports.

The Averett Library subscribes to two databases with industry information:

Use Factiva to look up each SIC code and its descriptive name. In Factiva, the SIC code and description are on the "snapshot" page. Write down the SIC number and description.

In Factiva, select the tab labeled "Companies/Markets," then "Company." Identify a prominent company in the industry you are interested in, then select "Reports." Select the drop down menu and "Ratio Comparison Report." When you scroll down, you will see a table comparing the the ratio of your company against the entire industry. 

In IBIS World Industry Reports, select the "Industry Research" drop down menu and click on the link "U.S. Industry Reports (NAICS)." Select an  NAICS code and description to locate market reports.

Call the library to request financial ratios and other industry information from the following source:

Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios (Ref HF5681 .R25  A45)